Recording/reproduction apparatus and method as well as recording medium

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a recording/reproduction apparatus and method as well as a recording medium wherein, when nondestructive editing is executed for an AV signal, the AV signal can be reproduced seamlessly without suffering from any interruption. Information representative of states (an A type, a C type, a D type, or an E type) of an IN point and an OUT point on a Clip, designated by a Playitem, of a Playlist in which at least more than one Playitems are arranged in the order of reproduction is described in a block Playitem( ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a recording/reproduction apparatus and methodas well as a recording medium, and more particularly to arecording/reproduction apparatus and method as well as a recordingmedium suitable for use to seamlessly reproduce discontinuous AV dataread out by random accessing.

In recent years, a DVD-RAM (Digital Versatile Disk-Random Access Memory)and so forth have been developed as a medium onto and from which datacan be recorded and reproduced. Such large capacity media as a DVD-RAMare expected very much as media onto which a digital AV (Audio Visual)signal such as a video signal is to be recorded.

As a supply source of a digital AV signal to be recorded onto a DVD-RAMor the like, an AV signal recorded on a VHS cassette tape, an 8-mm tapeand so forth which are existing recording media, an AV signal as abroadcasting signal of digital satellite broadcasting, digital groundwave broadcasting, digital cable television broadcasting or the like, ora like AV signal is available.

A digital video signal supplied from any source described above isnormally in a form compressed and coded in accordance with the MPEG(Moving Picture Experts Group) 2 system. Accordingly, when a digitalvideo signal supplied from any source is recorded onto a DVD-RAM or thelike, an AV signal compressed and coded in accordance with the MPEG2system must be decoded once and then encoded in accordance with theMPEG2 system and recorded onto the optical disk. However, where an AVsignal in a compressed and coded state is decoded and encoded again inthis manner, the quality of the AV signal is deteriorated significantly.

Therefore, in order to minimize the deterioration of the quality of anAV signal, it is investigated to record an AV signal in a compressed andcoded state supplied from any source in the form of a bit stream assupplied onto a DVD-RAM or the like without encoding and decoding the AVsignal. In other words, it is investigated to use a DVD-RAM or the likeas a data streamer.

A disk medium such as a DVD-RAM allows high speed random accessingthereto. Thus, it is convenient if this fact can be utilized toreproduce a bit stream recorded on a DVD-RAM or the like in an orderdifferent from the order in which it is recorded. To designate areproduction order is a kind of editing, and designation of areproduction order is performed without any change in arrangement of thebit stream recorded on the disk. In the following, such editing as justdescribed is described as nondestructive editing.

However, since the arrangement of a bit stream on a disk medium is notnecessarily in an optimized state for nondestructive editing, there is asubject that, when nondestructive editing is actually executed, the AVsignal is interrupted at a changeover point of the bit stream and soforth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide arecording/reproduction apparatus and method as well as a recordingmedium wherein, when nondestructive editing is executed for an AVsignal, the AV signal can be reproduced without suffering from anyinterruption.

In order to attain the object described above, according to an aspect ofthe present invention, there is provided a recording/reproductionapparatus for recording or reproducing AV data onto or from a recordingmedium, comprising AV data file recording means for recording an AV datafile obtained by converting the AV data into a file onto the recordingmedium, production means for producing reproduction range informationrepresentative of a range of reproduction of the AV data file,classification means for classifying a state of at least one end of therange of reproduction, addition means for adding informationrepresentative of a result of the classification of the classificationmeans to the reproduction range information, preparation means forarranging at least more than one piece of the reproduction rangeinformation in order for reproduction to prepare a reproduction list,and reproduction list recording means for recording the reproductionlist onto the recording medium.

The classification means may classify the state of at least one end ofthe reproduction range into one of four types.

The recording/reproduction apparatus may further comprise formationmeans for forming a bridge sequence in response to a result of theclassification of the classification means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda recording/reproduction method for a recording/reproduction apparatusfor recording or reproducing AV data onto or from a recording medium,comprising an AV data file recording step of recording an AV data fileobtained by converting the AV data into a file onto the recordingmedium, a production step of producing reproduction range informationrepresentative of a range of reproduction of the AV data file, aclassification step of classifying a state of at least one end of therange of reproduction, an addition step of adding informationrepresentative of a result of the classification by the processing inthe classification step to the reproduction range information, apreparation step of arranging at least more than one piece of thereproduction range information in order for reproduction to prepare areproduction list, and a reproduction list recording step of recordingthe reproduction list onto the recording medium.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a recording medium on which a computer-readable program forrecording or reproducing AV data onto or from an information recordingmedium is recorded, the program comprising an AV data file recordingstep of recording an AV data file obtained by converting the AV datainto a file onto the information recording medium, a production step ofproducing reproduction range information representative of a range ofreproduction of the AV data file, a classification step of classifying astate of at least one end of the range of reproduction, an addition stepof adding information representative of a result of the classificationby the processing in the classification step to the reproduction rangeinformation, a preparation step of arranging at least more than onepiece of the reproduction range information in order for reproduction toprepare a reproduction list, and a reproduction list recording step ofrecording the reproduction list onto the information recording medium.

In the recording/reproduction apparatus, the recording/reproductionmethod and the program of the recording medium, an AV data file obtainedby converting AV data into a file is recorded, and reproduction rangeinformation representative of a range of reproduction of the AV datafile is produced. Further, the state of at least one end of the range ofreproduction is classified, and information representative of a resultof the classification is added to the reproduction range information.Further, a reproduction list in which at least more than one piece ofreproduction range information are arranged in the order in which theyare to be reproduced is prepared, and the reproduction list is recordedonto the recording medium. Consequently, the AV data can be recorded insuch a manner that, when nondestructive editing is executed, the AVsignal can be reproduced without interruption.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a recording/reproduction apparatus for recording or reproducingAV data onto or from a recording medium, comprising readout means forreading out a reproduction list recorded on the recording medium,extraction means for extracting information representative of a state ofat least one end of a range of reproduction from among at least morethan one piece of reproduction range information which forms thereproduction list, and reproduction means for reproducing the AV datarecorded on the recording medium based on the information representativeof the state of the at least one end of the range of reproductionextracted by the extraction means.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a recording/reproduction method for a recording/reproductionapparatus for recording or reproducing AV data onto or from a recordingmedium, comprising a readout step of reading out a reproduction listrecorded on the recording medium, an extraction step of extractinginformation representative of a state of at least one end of a range ofreproduction from among at least more than one piece of reproductionrange information which forms the reproduction list, and a reproductionstep of reproducing the AV data recorded on the recording medium basedon the information representative of the state of the at least one endof the range of reproduction extracted by the processing in theextraction step.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a recording medium on which a computer-readable program forrecording or reproducing AV data onto or from an information recordingmedium is recorded, the program comprising a readout step of reading outa reproduction list recorded on the information recording medium, anextraction step of extracting information representative of a state ofat least one end of a range of reproduction from among at least morethan one piece of reproduction range information which forms thereproduction list, and a reproduction step of reproducing the AV datarecorded on the information recording medium based on the informationrepresentative of the state of the at least one end of the range ofreproduction extracted by the processing in the extraction step.

In the recording/reproduction apparatus, the recording/reproductionmethod and the program of the recording medium, a reproduction listrecorded is read out, and from within at least more than one piece ofreproduction range information which forms the reproduction list, theinformation representative of the state of at least one end of theextracted reproduction range is extracted, and AV data recorded on therecording medium are reproduced based on the extracted informationrepresentative of the state of at least one end of the reproductionrange. Consequently, when nondestructive editing is executed, the AVsignal can be reproduced without interruption.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description and theappended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich like parts or elements denoted by like reference symbols.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a construction of an optical discapparatus to which the present invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a relationship of a Clip anda Playlist;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing a construction of the Clip;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a structure for managing an AV stream;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a directory structure of data stored on anoptical disc;

FIG. 6 is a table illustrating the syntax of a file info.dvr;

FIG. 7 is a table illustrating the syntax of a file %%%%.clpi;

FIG. 8 is table illustrating syntax of a file Playlist###.plst;

FIG. 9 is a table illustrating the syntax of a block Playlist( );

FIG. 10 is a table illustrating the syntax of a block Playitem( );

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating division of a Playitem at adiscontinuity point of a PCR;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view illustrating that the Playlist isconstructed from a main path and an AUX audio path;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view illustrating division of the Playlist;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrammatic views illustrating different mannersof combination of Playlists;

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view illustrating. an example of seamlessconnection using a bridge sequence;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating movement of a Playlist;

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an example of Clipconversion;

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an example of minimizationof a Clip;

FIG. 19 is a table illustrating types of a connection point betweenPlayitems;

FIGS. 20A to 20D are diagrammatic views showing an example of differenttypes of connection points between Playitems;

FIGS. 21A and 21B are diagrammatic views illustrating differentrelationships of a bridge sequence and a clean break; FIGS. 22A and 22Bare diagrammatic views illustrating different relationships between aclean break and a bridge sequence;

FIGS. 23 to 26B are diagrammatic views illustrating different examplesof the state of a bridge sequence;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a Playlist production process;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a Playlist reproduction process; and

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating a process when a connection point isdetermined as that of a D type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows an example of a construction of an optical disk apparatusto which the present invention is applied. Referring to FIG. 1, thepresent optical disk apparatus compresses, codes and multiplexes an AVsignal inputted thereto, for example, in accordance with the MPEG systemor the like, records an AV stream file obtained by converting the AVsignal into a file onto an optical disk 1 such as a DVD-RAM, andreproduces an AV signal from the optical disk 1 on which AV stream filesare recorded. In the present optical disk apparatus, a single opticalhead 2 is provided for the one rewritable optical disk 1, and theoptical head 2 is used for both of reading out and writing of data.

A bit stream read out from the optical disk 1 by the optical head 2 isdemodulated by an RF and demodulation/modulation circuit 3, and errorcorrection is performed for the demodulated bit stream by an ECC circuit4. Then, the bit stream from the ECC circuit 4 is sent through a switch5 to a readout channel buffer 6 for absorbing a difference between thereadout rate and a decoding processing rate. An output of the readoutchannel buffer 6 is supplied to a decoder 7. The readout channel buffer6 is formed such that writing into and reading out from the readoutchannel buffer 6 can be controlled by a system controller 13.

The bit stream outputted from the readout channel buffer 6 is decoded bythe decoder 7, and a video signal and an audio signal are outputted fromthe decoder 7. The video signal outputted from the decoder 7 is inputtedto a synthesis circuit 8, by which it is synthesized with a video signaloutputted from an OSD (On Screen Display) control circuit 9. Thesynthesized signal from the synthesis circuit 8 is outputted from anoutput terminal P1 to a display unit not shown so that it is displayedon the display unit. The audio signal outputted from the decoder 7 issent from another output terminal P2 to and reproduced by a speaker notshown.

On the other hand, a video signal inputted from an input terminal P3 andan audio signal inputted from another input terminal P4 are encoded byan encoder 10 and then sent to a write channel buffer 11 for absorbingthe encoding processing rate and a writing rate. Also the write channelbuffer 11 is constructed such that reading and writing control from andinto the write channel buffer 11 can be performed by the systemcontroller 13.

Data stored in the write channel buffer 11 are read out from the writechannel buffer 11 and inputted through the switch 5 to the ECC circuit4, by which error correction codes are added to the data. Then, the datafrom the ECC circuit 4 are modulated by the RF anddemodulation/modulation circuit 3. A signal (RF signal) outputted fromthe RF and demodulation/modulation circuit 3 is written onto the opticaldisk 1 by the optical head 2.

An address detection circuit 12 detects address information of a trackof the optical disk 1 to be recorded or read out. The system controller13 controls operation of the components of the optical disk apparatus,and includes a CPU 21 for performing various controls, a ROM 22 in whichprocessing programs to be executed by the CPU 21 and so forth arestored, a RAM 23 for temporarily storing data and so forth produced in aprocessing procedure, and a RAM 24 for storing various information filesto be recorded onto or reproduced from the optical disk 1. The CPU 21finely adjusts the position of the optical head 2 based on a result ofdetection of the address detection circuit 12. The CPU 21 furtherperforms switching control of the switch 5. An inputting section 14including various switches, buttons and so forth is operated by a userin order to input various instructions.

Subsequently, a scheme of nondestructive editing wherein some ranges orthe entire range of an AV stream file recorded on the optical disk 1 isdesignated and the thus designated ranges are reproduced successively isdescribed.

FIG. 2 illustrates a file Playlist in which an order for reproduction innondestructive editing is described. The Playlist is a unit designatedby a user and corresponding to one or more streams to be reproducedsuccessively. A Playlist of the simplest construction is obtained if itis designated that the range of a certain one stream from its recordingstart position to its recording end position should be reproduced.

The Playlist is composed of information which designates an AV streamand information representative of a reproduction start point (IN point)and a reproduction end point (OUT point) in the AV stream. A set ofinformation which designates an AV stream and information representativeof a start point and an end point of the AV stream is collectivelyreferred to as Playitem. In other words, a Playlist is composed of oneor more Playitems.

If a Playitem is reproduced, then the range from the IN point and theOUT point of a specified AV stream is reproduced.

An AV stream is a bit stream multiplexed in the form of a transportstream or the like prescribed by the MPEG2, and if information relatingto the AV stream is stored as a file (hereinafter referred to as AVstream information file) separate from an AV stream obtained byconverting the AV stream into a file, then reproduction and editing arefacilitated further. An AV stream file and an AV stream information fileare regarded as an object as a unit of information and is called Clip.In particular, as seen in FIG. 3, the Clip is an object composed of anAV stream file and an AV stream information file (indicated as Streamattributes in FIG. 3) which correspond in a one-by-one correspondingrelationship to each other.

As seen in FIG. 4, a Playlist, a Playitem and a Clip are providedhierarchically to allow nondestructive editing.

Here, attention is paid to connection points between Playitems. Whiletwo Playitems individually refer to different Clips, a transport stream(AV stream) read in from the optical disk 1 sometimes becomesdiscontinuous at connection points between the Playitems. The factor ofsuch discontinuity is provided by discontinuity of the syntax in thetransport stream or by discontinuity of supply from two files.

If discontinuity is present at a connection point of a Playitem, thensuch deterioration of the reproduction quality that an image reproducedbecomes a still picture or an image or sound is interrupted occurs.However, if the factor of the discontinuity at the connection point ofthe Playitem is known in advance before the connection point of thePlayitem is reproduced, then the deterioration of the reproductionquality at the connection point can be suppressed.

If discontinuity in supply from two files is present at a connectionpoint at a Playitem, then the lowest readout rate of the file should beassured. In other words, a countermeasure should be taken to prevent thereadout channel buffer 6, which stores a read out AV stream before it isdecoded, from underflowing.

Here, the reproduction system of the optical disk apparatus of FIG. 1 isexamined in a simplified form which merely includes the optical disk 1,readout channel buffer 6 and decoder 7. Since data cannot be read fromthe optical disk 1 during random accessing, in order to prevent thereadout channel buffer 6 from underflowing, it is necessary to store acertain amount of data in the readout channel buffer 6 immediatelybefore track jumping within which reading of data is impossible isperformed. Such control can be realized by handling a sector, which is astorage area on the optical disk 1, as blocks.

For example, a set of adjacent sectors which can be read outcontinuously without track jumping is considered and is called fragment.The rule that a fragment always includes more than a fixed rate of datais provided. The rule that, for example, the rate of data which occupyin each fragment is always higher than one half the size of onefragment. In other words, where an area occupied by data in a fragmentis called segment, the condition that the magnitude of a segment isgreater than one half a fragment is set. Such a fixed rate is determinedtaking the time required for jumping from a fragment which is present atan arbitrary position on the optical disk 1 to another fragment which ispresent at another arbitrary position, the size of the fragment, theburst readout rate and so forth into consideration.

If the construction described above is employed, then where jumping uponrandom accessing is performed in a unit of a fragment, since some amountof data is present in each fragment, jumping between fragments can beperformed in a state wherein a sufficient amount of data is present inthe readout channel buffer 6. In other words, it is possible to supplydata to the decoder 7 while assuring the lowest rate.

Now, a case wherein discontinuity is present in the syntax of atransport stream is considered. Usually, even if two bit streams MPEGencoded and multiplexed separately from each other are individually cutin a unit of a transport packet and cut faces of the different bitstreams are joined together, a stream of the correct syntax asprescribed in the MPEG systems is not obtained. Further, since differenttransport streams are different also in a PCR (Program Clock Reference)which is a reference to the time base included in a transport stream,when decoding is to be performed across the connection points of them,such processing as to re-set the time base based on a new PCR isrequired.

Accordingly, even if information of whether or not discontinuity of thesyntax is present at a connection point of a Playitem and information ofthe type of the discontinuity are known when decoding is to be decoded,they cannot be used in time. Therefore, the optical disk apparatus ofthe present invention is constructed such that it can supply informationof whether or not discontinuity of the syntax is present at a connectionpoint of a Playitem and information of the type of the discontinuity tothe decoder 7 in advance.

Here, arrangement of files written on the optical disk 1 (which may behereinafter referred to simply as disk) is described. The following fourkinds of files are recorded on the disk as seen in FIG. 5.

-   -   info.dvr    -   playlist###.plst    -   %%%%.clpi    -   %%%%.mpg

A directory /DVR is provided on the disk, and the directory /DVR and soforth make a range managed by the optical disk apparatus. However, thedirectory /DVR may be a root directory of the disk or may be presentunder another arbitrary directory.

The file info.dvr is disposed in the directory /DVR. Further, adirectory /PLAYLIST, another directory /CLIPINF and a further directory/AVSTREAM are disposed below the directory /DVR.

The files playlist###.plst are disposed below the directory /PLAYLIST.The files %%%%.clpi are disposed below the directory /CLIPINF. The files%%%%.mpg are disposed below the directory /AVSTREAM.

FIG. 6 illustrates a structure of the file info.dvr disposed only oneunder the directory /DVR. The file info.dvr has blocks formedindividually for different kinds of information classified forindividual functions. Information regarding the volume is placed in ablock DVRVolume( ). Information regarding the arrangement of Playlistsis placed in another block PlayListBlock( ). Information regarding thearrangement of Clips is placed in a further block ClipList( ).Information for linking a plurality of volumes with each other is placedin a still further block MultiVolume( ).

Addresses at which the tops of the blocks are recorded are described ata top portion of the file info.dvr. In particular,DVRVolume_start_address represents the position at which the blockDVRVolume( ) starts in an intra-file relative byte number.PlayListBlock_start_address represents the position at which the blockPlayListBlock( ) starts in an intra-file relative byte number.ClipList_start_address represents the position at which the blockClipList( ) starts in an intra-file relative byte number.

MultiVolume_start_address represents the position at which the blockMultiVolume( ) starts in an intra-file relative byte number.

The files %%%%.clpi below the directory /CLIPINF are produced in aone-by-one corresponding relationship to AV stream files %%%%.mpg belowthe directory /AVSTREAM. FIG. 7 illustrates a structure of a file%%%%.clpi. Also the file %%%%.clpi has blocks formed for individualkinds of information classified for individual functions.

Information regarding a Clip is placed in the block ClipInfo( ).Information regarding a discontinuity point (where attention is paid toa continuous range delimitated by discontinuity points, it is calledalso continuous section) is placed in the block SequenceInfo( ).Information regarding CPI (Characteristic Point Information)representative of a characteristic point which can be randomly accessedin an AV stream is placed in the block CPI( ). Information of an indexpoint for a head search applied to a Clip or start and end points of acommercial is placed in the block MarkList( ). Addresses representativeof the tops of the individual blocks are described in a top portion ofthe file %%%%.clpi.

The files playlist###.plst below the directory /PLAYLIST are produced byone for each playlist. FIG. 8 shows a structure of a fileplayl.ist###.plst. The file playlist###.plst has a block Playlist( ) inwhich information regarding the playlist is placed, and an address(Playlist_start_address) representative of the top of the blockPlaylist( ) is described at a top portion of the file playlist###.plst.Consequently, it is possible to insert a padding_byte before or afterthe block Playlist( ).

FIG. 9 shows a structure of the block PlayList( ). The version_numberrepresents a version number of information described in the followingportion. The aux_audio_valid_flag represents whether or not the PlayListhas audio for post-recording. When the aux_audio_valid_flag represents“No”, the Playitem( ) for the aux_audio is ignored and is notreproduced.

The playlist_type represents a type of the playlist. Theplaylist_name_length represents a data length of the name of theplaylist. A character string representative of the name is described bya for sentence immediately following the playlist_name_length. TheResumeinfo( ) is a region into which, when reproduction of the PlayListis ended intermediately, information representative of the position atwhich the reproduction is interrupted is placed. Thesynchronous_start_pts represents, where an effective aux_audio_path ispresent, a start time of the aux_audio_path. The synchronous_start_ptsis used to realize synchronous reproduction between a main path and anaux audio path. The num_of_playitems_for_main represents the number ofPlayitems which form a main path. The num_of_playitems_for_aux_audiorepresents the number of Playitems which form the aux_audio path. ThePlaylistInfoDescriptor( ) is a region for placing information,explanation of contents and so forth relating to the PlayList, andinformation relating to the PlayList is described by a for sentence.

FIG. 10 shows a structure of the block Playitem( ). The file_name_lengthrepresents a data length of a file name of a Clip information file (afile whose extension is clpi) which is referred to by the Playitem, anda character string of the file name is placed in a for sentenceimmediately following the file_name_length. The program_numberrepresents a program_number which specifies a program referred to by thePlayitem (the program denotes a collection of elementary streams ofvideo, audio and other data as defined by the MPEG systems).

The sequence_id represents a section of a range of time within which thePCR is continuous. Since a consistent continuous time base can bedefined in the section, a start point and an end point of the Playitemcan be defined uniquely. In other words, the start point and the endpoint of each Playitem must be present in the same sequence. Theplayitem_name_length represents the data length of the name of theplayitem, and a character string of the name is placed in a for sentenceimmediately following the playitem_name_length. The condition_INrepresents a condition of AV stream data which corresponds to a startportion of the Playitem. The condition_OUT represents a condition of AVstream data which corresponds to an end portion of the Playitem. Detailsof the conditions are hereinafter described with reference to FIG. 19.

The playitem_start_time_stamp represents a pts (presentation time stamp)at the start point of the Playitem. However, when the condition_IN is0x03, since the AV stream file is read in and decoded up to the last endthereof, the playitem_start_time_stamp is unnecessary. Theplayitem_end_time_stamp represents a pts at the end portion of thePlayitem. However, when the condition_OUT is 0x03, since the AV streamfile is read in and decoded beginning with the top thereof, theplayitem_end_time_stamp is unnecessary.

Now, characteristics of the Playlist having the data structure describedabove are described successively.

-   -   1) The Playlist is a collection of only those portions to be        reproduced of a “material” called Clip each with an IN point        (start point) and an OUT point (end point).    -   2) The Playlist is a unit which is recognized as one unity by a        user similarly to the Clip.    -   3) The Playlist is also a structure for realizing nondestructive        assemble editing. The Clip and the Playlist have a Master-Slave        relationship, and even if a Playlist is produced, divided,        merged or erased, the Clip is not changed thereby.    -   4) A portion of the Clip which is designated is called Playitem.        A Playlist is composed of an array of Playitems.    -   5) The Playitem is principally composed of a file id or a file        name for specifying an AV stream file, a program_number        prescribed for an MPEG2 transport stream and an IN point and an        OUT point on a program corresponding to the program_number. In        the Clip, for each program, a local time base is defined for        each section within which the PCR is continuous, and the IN        point and the OUT point can each be represented using a pts.    -   6) A reproduction designation range of Playitems which form a        Playlist is closed within a PCR continuous section of the Clip        as seen in FIG. 11.    -   7) One Playitem cannot be shared by two or more Playlists.    -   8) Only one Playitem is produced from a Clip which forms a        bridge sequence. The Clip which forms a bridge sequence is not        shared between a plurality of Playitems.    -   9) The Playlist allows post-recording. An object of such        post-recording is maintained in a nondestructive state. As a        path for post-recording, one AUX Audio path is provided in the        Playlist as seen in FIG. 12. An array of video and audio        Playitems which are outputted as a main output is called main        path.    -   10) Reproduction times of a plurality of Playitems do not        overlap with each other in time on a single path. Where two or        more Playitems are arranged on one main path, the Playitems are        arranged closely to each other and no gap must be present        between the reproduction times.    -   11) The reproduction type of the Playlist is the same as the        reproduction time of the main path.    -   12) The number of Playitems which are present on the AUX Audio        path is 0 or 1.    -   13) The range between the reproduction start time and the        reproduction end time of the AUX Audio path must not exceed the        range between the reproduction start time and the reproduction        end time of the main path.

Subsequently, operations upon nondestructive editing of a Playlist aredescribed.

1) Production of a Playlist

When an AV stream is recorded newly, a Clip composed of an AV streamfile and AV stream file information, and a Playitem which refers to theClip is produced and then a Playlist is produced.

2) Erasure

When a reproduction order destination which has become unnecessary is tobe erased, it is erased over all of the Playlists or in a unit of aPlayitem.

3) Division

As seen in FIG. 13, a Playitem which forms one Playlist is divided intoPlayitems, and a Playlist is formed for each of the Playitems obtainedby the division.

4) Merge (Non-Seamless or Seamless Connection)

Two Playlists are connected to form a single Playlist. Merge processingis different, at the connection point, depending upon whether thePlaylists are merged such that they may be reproduced in such a seamlessmanner that an image and sound are not interrupted or the Playlists aremerged such that they may be reproduced in a non-seamless manner thatoccurrence of interruption is allowed. When the two Playlists are mergedso as to allow non-seamless reproduction, a new AV stream need not beproduced, but the Playitems of the two Playlists are arranged in a rowin a reproduction order to form one Playlist as seen in FIG. 14A. It isto be noted that, where the Playlists which compose the two Playlists tobe merged refer to the same Clip and the portions to be referred to arecontinuous to each other as seen in FIG. 14B, also the Playitems aremerged. FIG. 15 indicates an example wherein a bridge sequence (detailsare hereinafter described) for connecting the two Playlists so as toallow seamless reproduction is produced.

5) Movement

As seen in FIG. 16, an array of Playlists in the Playlist block whichdefines a reproduction order of the Playlists is changed. Each Playlistis not changed.

6) Clip Conversion

It is assumed that, for example, a material imaged by means of a videocamera is converted into a Clip and a Playlist for reproduction of partof the Clip is produced. After a Playlists is completed, when it isdesired to newly make another Clip with which reproduction is performedin the reproduction order of the same and the entity of the stream isinvolved, portions designated by the Playlist are copied to produce anew Clip as seen in FIG. 17 (the original Clip is converted into the newClip).

7) Minimization of a Clip

As seen in FIG. 18, any portion of a Clip which is not designated forreproduction by any Playlist (or Playitem which forms a Playlist) iserased.

8) Erasure of a Clip

A Clip which is not designated for reproduction by any Playlist (orPlayitem which forms a Playlist) is erased.

Minimization of a Clip and erasure of a Clip are operations for erasingunnecessary data to increase the free capacity of the disk.

Subsequently, seamless reproduction between Playitems which form aPlaylist is described. In order to realize seamless reproduction betweenPlayitems, the state of a connection point of each Playitem must beclassified. Here, the state of a connection point of a Playitem isclassified into one of four types including an A type, a C type, a Dtype and an E type as seen in FIG. 19.

The A type denotes a state wherein the IN point (start point) and theOUT point (end point) of a Playitem designate an arbitrary picture of anAV stream. Where images are coded in accordance with the MPEG videosystem, a designated picture is not limited to an I picture but may be aP picture or a B picture. Therefore, for example, where the designatedpicture is a P picture or a B picture, in order to display the picturedesignated with the IN point, data of a picture preceding to the INpoint are required. Since the information that a Playitem has is a ptsof the IN point, the position of a preceding picture from which data areto be read is determined arbitrarily by the reproduction side.Consequently, if the reading start position is preceding by anexcessively great distance, then unnecessary data for reproduction ofthe P picture or the B picture may be read in. Similarly, in order todisplay a picture at the OUT point, data of a picture necessary fordecoding must be read in although they are not displayed. In such aninstance, after decoding of the picture at the OUT point is completed,it is necessary to flash (or erase the data) of the frame buffer of thedecoder before data of the next Playitem are decoded. Further, sinceunnecessary data later than the OUT point may remain stored in thebuffer of the decoder, also the decoder buffer must be flashed.

After all, when a connection face of the A type is be reproduced, it isnecessary to interrupt ordinary reproduction processing such ascontinuous decoding and continuous displaying and perform suchprocessing of reading in data which are not displayed as describedabove. Therefore, there is the possibility that the boundary betweenplayitems may become non-seamless.

The C type denotes a state wherein the connection point is a cleanbreak. The clean break is a condition wherein such tail processing as toremove data unnecessary for decoding has been performed. This connectionpoint is produced by demultiplexing and decoding data around theconnection point and then re-encoding and re-multiplexing thedemultiplexed decoded data. Accordingly, different from the A type, theC type does not require data of a picture preceding to a picture at theconnection point or data of a picture following the picture at theconnection point. In order to make the condition of a connection pointthe C type, for example, it is only required to re-encode a picturecorresponding to the IN point so that it may be the top of a GOP (GroupOf Pictures) and re-encode a picture corresponding to the OUT point sothat it may be the last picture of the GOP. It is to be noted, however,that the PCR is discontinuous at the connection point of the C type.

The D type is a type of a connection point for allowing jumping from orto an intermediate portion of an AV stream file and denotes a conditionwherein it is continuous to preceding and following Playitems in theaccuracy of a byte. Accordingly, if data are read out from the AV streamfile in accordance with the arranged order of the Playitems, then acontinuous bit stream is obtained although an exchange of a file isinvolved, and continuous decoding is possible. A connection point of theD type appears when the reproduction point goes out from an intermediateportion of a file and enters a bridge sequence or when the reproductionpoint goes out of a bridge sequence and enters an intermediate portionof a file.

The E type denotes a state wherein the Playitem is the top or the lastof an AV stream file and, at the position, the bit stream is continuousto the preceding or following Playitem in the accuracy of a byte. The Etype and the D type are different from each other in whether or not apicture designated by a Playitem is placed just at the top or lastposition of a file. The E type appears when a bridge sequence or acontinuous stream is divided into two files.

FIG. 20A illustrates an example wherein two AV streams are partlydesignated each with an IN point and an OUT point to produce Playitems,and the Playitems are arranged to form a Playlist. In this instance,since no special processing is performed for the AV streams but thePlayitems are merely arranged, both of the connection points of the twoPlayitems become those of the A type. Accordingly, there is thepossibility that discontinuity such as interruption of an image mayoccur between the two Playitems, and seamless reproduction is notassured.

FIG. 20B illustrates an example wherein two connection points are of theC type. In this instance, seamless reproduction is assured even acrossthe two Playitems.

FIG. 20C illustrates an example wherein an originally one AV stream fileis divided into two files and the two files are connected by Playitems.Playitems which connect divided AV stream files in this manner haveconnection points of the E type. Accordingly, if data are read incontinuously at the boundary between the AV stream files, then acontinuous bit stream is obtained without execution of specialprocessing. Consequently, seamless reproduction is assured.

FIG. 20D illustrates an example wherein a bridge sequence is produced toallow seamless reproduction of two Playitems. The bridge sequence is amethod for realizing seamless reproduction without modifying an originalAV stream file. The example of FIG. 20D is different from the example ofFIG. 20B in that an original AV stream file is not modified. Here, thepoint at which the reproduction point goes out from intermediately ofthe AV stream file in order to enter the bridge sequence and the pointat which the reproduction point goes out of the bridge sequence andenters an intermediate point of the AV stream file are of the D type.

Subsequently, a bridge sequence which is a structure for allowingseamless reproduction between two Playitems having connection points ofthe D type. The bridge sequence is a short AV stream produced by copyingor partly re-encoding an AV stream around a connection point in a freearea on a disk. Upon reproduction, the short AV stream as the bridgesequence is reproduced to realize seamless reproduction. The bridgesequence may be formed from two AV stream files across a clean break asseen in FIG. 21A or from a single AV stream file as seen from FIG. 21B.

The clean break is used in a case wherein two Clips are reproducedseamlessly or in another case wherein two Playitems are reproducedseamlessly. When two Clips are reproduced seamlessly, if re-encoding andre-multiplexing are performed, then the ends of the AV stream filesseamlessly connected to each other make such a clean break as seen inFIG. 22A. Usually, data in elementary streams to be displayed at thesame timing are positioned in a spaced relationship from each other in afile due to a multiplexing phase difference in the MPEG2 systems. Theclean break is a condition wherein an elementary stream to be displayedbefore a certain timing and another elementary stream to be displayedafter the certain timing are separated in separate files from each othertaking the multiplexing phase difference into consideration. Naturally,also audio data to be reproduced at the same timing as the timing atwhich video data present in the preceding side file are displayed areincluded in the preceding side file, and similarly, also audio data tobe reproduced at the same timing as the timing at which video datapresent in the following side file are present in the following sidefile.

The bridge sequence is formed, where, for example, two Playitems are tobe seamlessly reproduced, as an AV stream file independent of theoriginal AV stream file as seen in FIG. 22B. The bridge sequence isproduced as a new file by copying a bit stream around a connection point(the original AV stream file), and only the portion is re-made bydecoding and re-encoding.

Now, requirements 1-1 to 4-1 upon production of a bridge sequence aredescribed. From the necessity for the assurance of continuous supply andthe continuity of read out data, points a, d, e and h (FIGS. 21A and21B) on the bridge sequence must be byte positions which satisfy thefollowing requirements.

The bridge sequence production requirements where attention is paid to arelationship between a fragment and a segment are described. Here, asegment denotes a portion of a fragment which is occupied by data.

-   -   1-1) As seen in FIG. 23, bridge sequences S2 and S3 and segments        S1 and S4 complementary to the bridge sequences must have a size        greater than 0.5 fragment.

The bridge sequence production requirement 2-1 is described.

-   -   2-1) As seen in FIG. 24, the position of the point a is        determined based on an OUT point designated by a user.

More particularly, the top of a source packet in which CPI is present ina rear half portion of a fragment (half of fragment) is determined as acandidate to the point a. If the point a cannot be found out in theobject fragment, then the object fragment is changed to the precedingfragment, and a point which satisfies the requirement is searched for inthe fragment. A source packet is a transport packet with timeinformation of 4 bytes added thereto. The object fragment is changedretroactively one by one fragment until the point a is found out. Theportion from the point a to the OUT point designated by the user iseither copied as it is or re-encoded and placed into the bridgesequence. Whether a point indicated by the CPI is included in the latterhalf of a fragment and the number of CPIs included rely upon the bitrate. More detailed processing is hereinafter described with referenceto a flowchart of FIG. 29.

Bridge sequence production requirements where attention is paid to arelationship between an aligned unit and CPI are described withreference to FIGS. 25A and 25B. It is to be noted that the aligned unitis a unit used when an AV stream is placed into a file, and is astructure for handling a predetermined number of successive sectors on afile system as one unit. The top of an aligned unit is aligned with asource packet, and consequently, an aligned unit begins with the top ofa source packet without failure. An AV stream file is formed from anintegral multiple of an aligned unit.

The CPI denotes a position which can be randomly accessed in an AVstream (a position at which decoding can be started), and makes adatabase of a pts (presentation time stamp) of a picture in the AVstream and an intra-file byte position of the picture. If the CPIdatabase is referred to, then time stamps which define the IN point andthe OUT point of a Playitem can be converted into a byte position of thePlayitem in the AV stream file. On the contrary, if there is no CPIdatabase, then since conversion from a display time into an intra-filebyte position is difficult, a connection point to a bridge sequence mustbe adjusted to the position designated by the CPI.

Bridge sequence production requirements 3-1 to 3-7 where attention ispaid to an aligned unit and CPI having such characteristics as describedabove are listed below.

-   -   3-1) The point b (FIG. 25A) of the bridge sequence is aligned        with the aligned unit because it is the top of the file.    -   3-2) The point b is also the top of a source packet. 3-3) Where        the range from the point b to the point d is defined as a file,        the length thereof must be equal to an integral number of times        that of the aligned unit.    -   3-4) While the point a is designated by the pts, in order to        discriminate the byte position, the CPI is referred to.        Accordingly, the point a must be a point designated by the CPI        (precisely, upon reproduction, the reproduction point goes out        at a byte immediately preceding to a source packet designated by        the point a).    -   3-5) The range from the point a to the point b is continuous in        the accuracy of a byte (D type-E type connection). Accordingly,        also the point b is a point designated by the CPI.    -   3-6) Since the point d is designated by the pts, the point e        must be a point designated by the CPI.    -   3-7) Since the points b and e are points designated by the CPI,        each of them must be the top of a source packet. The points a        and e may not be aligned with an aligned unit.

Subsequently, requirements of a Playitem which designates a bridgesequence is described with reference to FIGS. 26A and 26B. As seen inFIGS. 21A and 21B, a bridge sequence can be obtained by two differentmethods including a method wherein it is formed as two AV streamsdivided with a clean break and another method wherein it is formed as asingle AV stream. Whichever one of the two methods is used, the numberof Playitems which designate the bridge sequence is two. This isbecause, even if the bridge sequence is formed as a single AV stream, itincludes a PCR discontinuity point, at which it is divided into twoPlayitems. This is intended to facilitate time management with theplayitems and, since there is the possibility that a PCR discontinuitypoint may appear only at a boundary of a Playitem, to eliminate thenecessity to take a discontinuity point into consideration duringreproduction of a Playitem by providing the restriction that a PCRdiscontinuity point does not appear within a Playitem.

According to the syntax of the block Playitem( ) shown in FIG. 10, a setof an IN point and an OUT point that a Playitem has must be within asection having a continuous PCR designated by the same sequence_id. Fromthe foregoing, the bridge sequence production requirement 4-1 around aPCR discontinuity point is such as follows.

-   -   4-1) Since a playitem can be designated within a range having a        continuous PCR, the playitem is divided at a PCR discontinuity        point C.

A Playlist which can be seamlessly reproduced can be produced inaccordance with such bridge sequence production requirements 1-1 to 4-1as described above.

Subsequently, a setting process for conditions of connection points(condition IN and condition OUT) of a Playitem upon production of aPlaylist is described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 27.

In step S1, an input of a range in a Clip to be reproduced is accepted.In particular, a user will input an IN point and an OUT point todesignate a range to be reproduced. In step S2, it is discriminatedwhether or not the inputting of an IN point and an OUT point iscompleted, and such inputting of an IN point and an OUT point by theuser is accepted until the inputting of an IN point and an OUT pointcomes to an end. If it is discriminated that the inputting of an INpoint and an OUT point comes to an end, then the processing advances tostep S3.

In step S3, attention is paid to one of connection points in accordancewith the order of reproduction. In step S4, it is discriminated whetheror not processing for allowing seamless reproduction to be performed atthe connection point should be performed. If it is discriminated thatprocessing for allowing seamless reproduction to be performed should beperformed, then the processing advances to step S5.

In step S5, it is discriminated whether or not the following processingshould be executed without destroying the Clip to be referred to. If itis discriminated that the following processing should be executedwithout destroying the Clip to be referred to, then the processingadvance to step S6, in which a bridge sequence is produced. In step S7,two Playitems which refer to the two Clips newly produced are insertedbetween the connection points. The two Playitems have a D type-E typeconnection wherein the Condition_out of the front side Playitem is ofthe D type and the Condition_IN of the rear side Playitem is of the Etype, or a C type-C type connection wherein the Condition_out of thefront side Playitem is of the C type and the Condition_IN of the rearside Playitem is of the C type, or else an E type-D type connectionwherein the Condition_out of the front side Playitem is of the E typeand the Condition_IN of the rear side Playitem is of the D type.

In step S8, it is discriminated whether or not the Playlists still havea connection point which has not been processed as yet. If it isdiscriminated that a connection point which has not been processed asyet remains, the processing returns to step S3 so that the processing instep S3 et seq. is repeated.

It is to be noted that, if it is discriminated in step S5 that thesucceeding processing should be executed while the Clip to be referredto is destroyed, then the processing advances to step S9, in which aclean break is produced. In step S10, part of the Clip is changed so asto have a C type-C type connection wherein the Condition_out of thefront side Playitem is of the C type and the Condition_IN of the rearside Playitem is of the

C type.

On the other hand, if it is discriminated in step S4 that processing forallowing seamless reproduction to be performed should not be performed,then the processing advances to step S11. In step S11, it is determinedthat processing for realizing seamless reproduction is not performed.Then in step S12, the Playitems are changed so as to have an A type-Atype connection wherein the Condition_out of the front side Playitem isof the A type and the Condition_IN of the rear side Playitem is of the Atype.

Subsequently, a reproduction process based on a Playlist is describedwith reference to a flowchart of FIG. 28. In step S21, one of existingPlaylists is selected. In step S22, the top one of Playitems which formthe Playlist selected in step S21 is selected, and reproduction of theClip based on the selected Playitem is started. In step S23, it isdiscriminated whether or not the reproduction of the Clip based on theselected Playitem comes to an end, and it is waited that it isdiscriminated that the reproduction of the Clip based on the Playitemcomes to an end. If it is discriminated that the reproduction of theClip based on the Playitem comes to an end, then the processing advancesto step S24.

In step S24, it is discriminated whether or not there is a next Playitemwhich follows the current Playitem. If it is discriminated that there isno next Playitem, then the present Playlist reproduction process isended. However, if it is discriminated that there is a next Playitem,then the processing advances to step S25.

In step S25, it is discriminated whether or not the connection point tothe next Playitem has an A type-A type connection. If it isdiscriminated that the connection point to the next Playitem has an Atype-A type connection, then since a gap appears at the connection pointof the Playitem, the processing advances to step S26, in which thedecoder is reset and a release process is executed. In step S27,reproduction of the Clip is started based on the next Playitem.Thereafter, the processing returns to step S23 so that the processing instep S23 et seq. is repeated.

It is to be noted that, if it is discriminated in step S25 that theconnection point to the next Playitem does not have an A type-A typeconnection, then the processing advances to step S28. In step S28, it isdiscriminated whether or not the connection point to the next Playitemhas a C type-C type connection. If it is discriminated that theconnection point to the next Playitem has a C type-C type connection,then it is discriminated in step S29 that the connection point isreproduced with a clean break. In step S30, the data of the Clipreferred to by the front side Playitem are read in up to the last datathereof, and then reading in of the Clip beginning with the top datawhich is referred to by the next Playitem is started. Changing over of aPCR is performed seamlessly by the decoder. Then, the sequence advancesto step S27.

If it is discriminated in step S28 that the connection point to the nextPlayitem does not have a C type-C type connection, then the processingadvances to step S31. In step S31, it is discriminated whether or notthe connection point to the next Playitem has a D type-E typeconnection. If it is discriminated that the connection point to the nextPlayitem has a D type-E type connection, then the processing advances tostep S32, in which it is determined that the connection point is aconnection point with which the bridge sequence is entered. In step S33,the Playitem_end_time_stamp and the CPI designated by the front sidePlayitem are referred to and the reading in is stopped intermediately ofthe Clip, and reading in of the Clip referred to by the next Playitem isstarted beginning with the top data of the Clip. The data read in aredecoded in the order in which they are read in. Then, the processingadvances to step S27.

If it is discriminated in step S31 that the connection point to the nextPlayitem does not have a D type-E type connection, then the processingadvances to step S34. In step S34, it is discriminated whether or notthe connection point to the next Playitem has an E type-D typeconnection. If it is discriminated that the connection point to the nextPlayitem has an E type-D type connection, then the processing advancesto step S35, in which it is discriminated that the connection point is aconnection point at which the reproduction point goes out of the bridgesequence. In step S36, the data of the Clip referred to by the frontside Playitem are read in up to the last data thereof, and then thePlayitem_start_time_stamp and the CPI are referred to and reading in ofthe Clip is started beginning with the intermediate portion of the same.The data read in are decoded in the order in which they are read in.Then, the processing advances to step S27.

If it is discriminated in step S34 that the connection point to the nextPlayitem does not have an E type-D type connection, then the processingadvances to step S37. In step S37, it is discriminated that theconnection point has an E type-E type connection. The data are read inwithout taking a delimitation of a file into consideration, and if thedata are decoded in the order in which they are read in, then they arereproduced seamlessly. Then, the processing advances to step S27.

Now, a detailed process of the bridge sequence production requirement2-1 “to determine the position of the point a based on the OUT pointdesignated by a user” is described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.29.

In step S51, an OUT point from a Clip is designated. In step S52, it isdiscriminated whether or not the timing of the OUT point is on the CPI.If the reproduction timing of the OUT point is not on the CPI, then theprocessing advances to step S53. In step S53, if a point or points whichare each indicated by the CPI corresponding to a timing preceding to thetiming of the OUT point are present, then the nearest one of the pointsis determined as a new OUT point. It is to be noted that, if it isdiscriminated in step S52 that the reproduction timing of the OUT pointis on the CPI, then the processing in step S53 is skipped.

In step S54, it is discriminated whether or not the magnitude (bytenumber) from the top of the fragment to the OUT point is greater thanone half the fragment. If it is discriminated that the magnitude fromthe top of the fragment to the OUT point is greater than one half thefragment, then the processing advances to step S55.

In step S55, the timing designated with the OUT point is determined asthe Playitem_end_time_stamp of the Playitem. In step S56, thecondition_out of the Playitem is determined as the D type. In step S57,data following the Playitem_end_time_stamp are copied and a Clip of thefront half of a bridge sequence is produced newly. The Clip and thenewly produced Clip are connected to each other by a D type-E typeconnection.

If it is discriminated in step S54 that the magnitude from the top ofthe fragment to the OUT point is not greater than one half the fragment,then the processing advances to step S58. In step S58, it isdiscriminated whether or not the preceding segment is present. If it isdiscriminated that the preceding segment is present, then the processingadvances to step S59. In step S59, the search range is changed to thepreceding segment. In step S60, a point which is present in thepreceding segment and is the latest point in reproduction timingrepresented by the CPI is determined as the OUT point. Then, theprocessing returns to step S54.

It is to be noted that, if it is discriminated in step S58 that thepreceding segment is not present, then the processing advances to stepS61, in which it is discriminated that it is impossible to determine thecondition_out of the Playitem as the D type, and the condition_out isdetermined as the A type.

As described above, according to the present invention, by providing afile Playlist, which is a file independent of an AV stream file and hasonly a link structure indicating an AV stream, with informationindicative of a state of a connection point between Playitems,augmentation of the reproduction quantity is allowed.

It is to be noted that, while, in the present embodiment, the mediumonto which an AV stream file and so forth are to be recorded is anoptical disk, any other medium may be used only if it allows randomaccessing.

By the way, while the series of processes described above can beexecuted by hardware, it may otherwise be executed by software. Wherethe series of processes is executed by software, a program whichconstructs the software is installed from a recording medium into acomputer incorporated in hardware for exclusive use or, for example, apersonal computer for universal use which can execute various functionsby installing various programs.

The recording medium is distributed in order to provide the program to auser separately from a computer. The recording medium is not only formedas a package medium such as a magnetic disk (including a floppy disk),an optical disk (including a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) anda DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), a magneto-optical disk (including an MD(Mini Disc)) or a semiconductor memory or but also formed as a ROM(which corresponds to the ROM 22 of FIG. 1), a hard disk or the like inor on which the program is recorded and which is provided in a statewherein the program is incorporated in a computer in advance to a user.

It is to be noted that, in the present application, the steps whichdescribe the program recorded on a recording medium may be but need notnecessarily be processed in a time series in the order as described, andinclude processes which are executed parallelly or individually.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been describedusing specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposesonly, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

1. A recording medium for use with a recording/reproducing apparatus,comprising: recorded AV data divided into a plurality of clips;reproduction range information representative of a range production ofsaid plurality of clips, said reproduction range information includingconnection information representative of a connection condition betweentwo clips, said connection information depends on whether a pictureprecedes a picture at a connection point or data of a picture followsthe picture at the connection point; and, wherein therecording/reproducing apparatus accesses said AV data in accordance withsaid reproduction range information and said connection information. 2.The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein said reproductionrange information comprises a PlayList and a PlayItem.